Subclass 887 Skilled Regional Visa: Complete Guide (2026)
Published 2026-02-14
Key Facts — Subclass 887 at a Glance
Visa type: Permanent residency. Application cost (2025–26): $425 (main applicant), $215 (additional applicant 18+), $110 (child under 18). Processing time: 12–20 months. No points test required. No new skills assessment required. No new English test required. No age limit at time of application. Must have held a qualifying provisional visa (Subclass 489, 495, 496, or 475). Must have lived and worked in a specified regional area for at least 2 years while holding the provisional visa.
What is the Subclass 887 Visa?
The Subclass 887 Skilled Regional visa is a permanent residency visa for people who previously held a provisional skilled regional visa and have fulfilled their regional obligations. It is the final step in the regional migration pathway for holders of older provisional visas — primarily the Subclass 489 Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa, which was replaced by the 491 in November 2019. If you held a 489 visa and lived and worked in regional Australia for at least 2 years, the 887 is your pathway to permanent residency. Note that holders of the newer Subclass 491 visa cannot apply for the 887 — they must instead apply for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa. The 887 remains relevant because many 489 holders are still transitioning to permanent residency, and some applications are still being processed.
Who Can Apply for the 887?
You can apply for the 887 if you currently hold, or previously held, one of the following provisional visas: Subclass 489 Skilled Regional (Provisional), Subclass 495 Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional), Subclass 496 Skilled Designated Area-Sponsored (Provisional), or Subclass 475 Skilled Regional Sponsored. You must have lived in a specified regional area of Australia for at least 2 years while holding one of these visas. You must have worked full-time (at least 35 hours per week) in a specified regional area for at least 1 year (12 months cumulative) while holding the visa. The work does not need to be in your nominated skilled occupation — any lawful employment counts. You must be in Australia at the time of application and at the time of decision.
What Counts as a Specified Regional Area for the 887?
The regional area definition for the 887 depends on when your provisional visa was granted and which visa you held. For 489 visa holders, the specified regional areas include all of Australia except Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, the Central Coast (NSW), Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Perth, and their surrounding metropolitan areas. This is slightly different from the 491/191 definition (which excludes only Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane). Cities that qualify as regional for the 887 include Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, Canberra (for some visa holders), Cairns, Townsville, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, and all rural and remote areas. Check the specific postcodes that applied to your provisional visa, as the boundaries varied between visa subclasses and over time.
Evidence Requirements
You will need to demonstrate 2 years of regional residence and 1 year of regional employment. Evidence of residence includes: rental agreements or mortgage documents showing a regional address, utility bills (electricity, gas, water, internet) at a regional address, bank statements showing a regional address, driver's licence or state ID with a regional address, school enrolment for children at regional schools, and Medicare correspondence at a regional address. Evidence of employment includes: payslips from regional employer(s) showing at least 35 hours per week, employment contracts, tax returns and payment summaries (PAYG), superannuation statements, ABN registration and business activity statements (if self-employed), and bank statements showing regular salary deposits. Gather documents across the full 2-year period — the Department will look for consistency.
Common Issues and Pitfalls
Several issues commonly arise with 887 applications. Gaps in evidence: If you travelled interstate or overseas during your provisional visa, ensure you can still demonstrate that your primary residence remained in a regional area. Short trips are acceptable, but extended absences may require explanation. Employment hours: The full-time work requirement is 35 hours per week. If you worked multiple part-time jobs, you can combine them to reach 35 hours, but you need clear evidence of hours worked at each job. Self-employment: If you were self-employed, you need robust evidence — tax returns, BAS statements, invoices, contracts, and bank statements. The Department scrutinises self-employment claims more closely. Address changes: If you moved within regional areas, provide evidence for each address. If you briefly lived in a non-regional area (even for a few weeks), this could be a problem. Timing: Apply before your provisional visa expires. If your visa expires before the 887 is decided, you will generally receive a bridging visa, but delays can cause stress.
Processing Times and What to Expect
Current processing times for the 887 are approximately 12–20 months, though this can vary. The Department processes applications based on the date lodged, and straightforward applications with complete evidence are generally processed faster. After lodging, you may receive a request for additional information or documents. Respond promptly and thoroughly. You may be asked to attend an interview, though this is uncommon for the 887. Once approved, you become a permanent resident immediately. Your permanent residency is not conditional — you can live and work anywhere in Australia, including the major capital cities. You can also travel in and out of Australia for 5 years from the date of grant. After that, you may need a Resident Return Visa to re-enter Australia if you've been overseas.
887 vs 191: Understanding the Difference
The 887 and 191 are both permanent residency visas for regional provisional visa holders, but they apply to different provisional visas. The 887 is for holders of older visas: 489, 495, 496, and 475. The Subclass 191 is for holders of newer visas: 491 and 494 (granted from November 2019 onwards). The requirements also differ: the 887 requires 2 years of regional living and 1 year of full-time work with no income threshold. The 191 requires 3 years of regional living and a minimum taxable income of $53,900 per year. If you held a 489 visa, you apply for the 887 — not the 191. If you held a 491 visa, you apply for the 191 — not the 887. Don't confuse them, as applying for the wrong visa will result in refusal.
Application Process
Step 1: Confirm you meet the 2-year residence and 1-year employment requirements. Step 2: Gather all evidence documents — aim for comprehensive, chronological coverage. Step 3: Complete the online application through ImmiAccount. Step 4: Pay the application fee ($425 for main applicant). Step 5: Upload all supporting documents. Step 6: Complete medical and police checks if not already done (or if previous ones have expired). Step 7: Wait for processing. Step 8: Respond promptly to any requests for information. Step 9: Receive your permanent residency grant. You must be in Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided.
Should You Use a Migration Agent?
The 887 is one of the simpler visa applications — there is no points test, no skills assessment, and no English test. However, a migration agent can be valuable if you have gaps in your evidence, periods of self-employment, time spent outside regional areas, or if your circumstances are complex. Agents typically charge $1,500–$3,000 for 887 applications. If your situation is straightforward and you have clear evidence of regional living and working, you may be able to handle the application yourself. Search our directory at /migration-agents for agents with regional visa experience, or verify any agent's registration at /tools/mara-check.
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